Though praising Caver, the dissenting trustees--Georgine Welo, Karen Gabriel Moss and Trevor Elkins--said they would have liked to interview all three applicants for the job before picking one. But President Dennis Clough said he and other trustees felt ready to move forward.

Caver, 42, deputy general manager of operations, takes over RTA at a time of falling revenues and a possible bid next year for a tax hike. He will replace Joe Calabrese, who becomes senior advisor after 18 years in charge -- the nation's longest current tenure for the head of a public system of buses and trains.

Caver's full title will be acting general manager, chief executive and secretary-treasurer. The board plans to install a permanent top administrator by March 1 and make Calabrese part-time senior advisor from that date through February 2020.

Trustee Valarie McCall said, "There are great, great people who work here. Dr. Caver is well respected across the United States." She praised him for working his way up through RTA.

Caver grew up in East Cleveland and graduated from Shaw High School and Hiram College. He earned a master's degree in public administration at Cleveland State University and a doctorate in public affairs at the University of Texas at Dallas.

He interned for RTA in 1999, went on staff in 2000 and analyzed budgets until 2002. After earning his doctorate, he returned in 2006 as budget manager. He became deputy general manager last October.

Caver has developed a performance management program, started a predictive maintenance program and introduced other data-driven programs that he said have saved millions of dollars.

As deputy general manager, he oversaw most of RTA's staff and expenses, supervising more than 2,000 workers and $218 million.

Caver lives in Richmond Heights with his wife and two children.

Said Caver, "We have a strong, concrete mission to provide safe, reliable and clean public transit. I'm confident in our ability to deliver."

The board's resolution calls for Caver's pay to be determined later. He currently makes $160,000 per year. RTA has customarily given a 10 percent raise for an interim promotion.

The board also voted 7 to 2 to create Calabrese's new job as senior advisor. Trustees had already approved a new contract calling for the job.

The dissenters Tuesday were the Rev. Charles Lucas, the board's vice president, and trustee Valarie McCall. Lucas said after the meeting that he wanted Calabrese's duties to be more defined. McCall had opposed the contract as well for technical reasons, such as the board's losing its right to terminate Calabrese without cause.